Author: healthadmin
Recent research published in translational psychiatry We provide evidence that people who experience persistent visual distortions after using psychedelic drugs tend to have higher rates of anxiety and physical health conditions. The findings suggest that this phenomenon is not a simple response to substance use, but is part of a complex interaction between mental and physical health. When you take a psychedelic substance like lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, you typically expect the visual and perceptual changes to disappear once the drug leaves your body. Some people experience these visual distortions that persist long after the initial intoxication…
Globally, humans currently produce a staggering 450 million tonnes of plastic each year. We use plastic in almost every area of our lives, from food and drink containers to cosmetic packaging, sewer pipes, window frames and polyester clothing. Almost a quarter of it is then released into the environment, where it breaks down very slowly into tiny pieces. These microplastics (particles between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters wide) have been found in the deepest parts of the oceans, on the tops of the highest mountains, in sparsely populated polar regions, and even inside the human body. It is extremely difficult…
Many types of cardiovascular disease and CVD risk factors are associated with higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, with low blood pressure showing the strongest association, according to a new analysis published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal. “By examining different types of heart disease individually, we identified which adult heart disease patients are at highest risk for cognitive decline. This highlights the importance of optimal cardiovascular health to prevent Alzheimer’s disease,” said Airi Toiri, BS, first author of the study and a student at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. Cardiovascular disease is…
Many people think that hearing loss occurs gradually and is simply part of aging. But one of the early signs can be something unexpected, such as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound that others can’t hear. Susan Bianco, 87, of Lancaster, first noticed a change in her hearing when she started having difficulty speaking. She often asked her husband to repeat what he said. Telephone calls became difficult and noisy social environments were especially frustrating. “It’s very difficult to hear in a crowd,” she said. “I can’t understand what other people are saying when they’re talking.” Then she started…
New research from the University of California, San Francisco shows how certain cells in the brain weaken and rupture aneurysms. This helps explain why some aneurysms rupture and others don’t, and could lead to new ways to predict and prevent strokes. A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel that may go unnoticed for years. If it ruptures, it can cause a severe and often fatal type of stroke. About 1 in 50 Americans suffers from a brain aneurysm, but doctors still struggle to predict which ones are most dangerous. A new study helps unravel the biology behind…
Leading lawmakers working to pass reforms in Congress expressed optimism Wednesday that some legislation would cross the finish line by the end of the year, but White House officials were tepid about Democrats’ key demands as part of the process. The leaders of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-Va.) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D.R.I.), are aiming to reach an agreement with other top lawmakers this summer. But during the POLITICO Energy Summit in Washington, Capito and the White House discussed the challenges of negotiations as President Donald Trump continues to express deep hostility to renewable…
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) now affects nearly one in seven adults and has increased by 71 per cent since 2002, making it one of the most common mental health problems in the country, according to a new Canadian study. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a mental health condition characterized by an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations, often leading to significant distress, impaired interpersonal and work performance, reduced quality of life, and significant economic costs to society. “Social anxiety is becoming more common in Canada, and understanding why this increase is occurring…
Cancer cells have a remarkable ability to withstand treatments that damage their DNA. One reason for this is that they rely on sophisticated repair systems that can repair genetic damage that would otherwise kill them. Among the most important of these systems is homologous recombination, a highly precise DNA repair process that relies on proteins such as RAD51 and CHK1. Cancer treatments known as PARP inhibitors were designed to take advantage of weaknesses in DNA repair. Although these drugs are effective against certain tumors, many cancers eventually adapt. By restoring DNA repair capacity, they become more resistant to treatment and…
Interpreting medical ultrasound images is a difficult task, requiring technicians to look at 2D images and mentally place a 3D representation of what the tissue looks like. To facilitate this task, researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to ultrasound imaging that allows users to visualize 3D augmented reality images of the scanned object. Virtual reality headsets provide a 3D digital representation of exactly what objects look like in real life, making them easier to identify and analyze. This technology could help speed up the training process for ultrasound technicians and other healthcare providers who use ultrasound. It can…
Experts in Heidelberg have developed an AI system that can classify brain tumors with unprecedented accuracy using standard microscopic tissue sections. The system uses digitized standard stains to identify more than 100 molecular subtypes of central nervous system tumors and provides results within minutes, potentially accelerating brain tumor diagnosis around the world. Brain and spinal cord tumors are highly variable. In recent years, it has become clear that many of these tumors can only be reliably diagnosed when examining their molecular characteristics in addition to their microscopic appearance. Of particular importance here is the so-called DNA methylation analysis, which is…